Court threat to convent owners

The owners of a former convent, once earmarked for a multi-million euro redevelopment, will be taken to court if they refuse to make it safe.

Cork County Council has issued a deadline of Oct 27 to have the former Presentation Convent in Mitchelstown secured, otherwise it will seek a court order compelling them to do so.

Council officials said they had previously issued warning notices under the Derelict Sites Act (1990) to make the building safe, but had received no reply.